Leaving NCYC with Joe

This past weekend, I was blessed to accompany a group of high schoolers on a trip to the National Catholic Youth Congress (NCYC) in Indianapolis, Indiana. I learned when we arrived that there is a standing tradition at NCYC to trade hats and other memorabilia (as well as clipping clothespins on others without them noticing). The last day there, I happened to come across this hard hat, and I begged the high schooler to trade with me. She agreed, and I came home with Joe on my head! I have no idea how many times this hat was traded in order to get me, but I believe Joe was certainly working on making it happen.

It apparently originated from high schooler from St Joseph Parish in Cold Spring, Kentucky. Check out their website here, and if you find yourself in the area, you should stop on in and say a prayer for all young people. As Joe was the guardian of Jesus in His youth, so he is also of all young people.

Prince Joe

As we come to the end of this Liturgical Year and approach the final Sunday of Christ the King of the Universe, I thought it would be appropriate to share (perhaps again?, I don’t really recall) a line from scripture that has been applied to Joe from the early years of the Church: “He made him lord over his household, ruler over all his possessions...” (Psalm 105:21). What immediately follows also catches my attention: “... to instruct his princes as he desired, to teach his elders wisdom.” (Psalm 105:22). 

Joe taught Jesus, Who really was Joe’s elder, but Joe did not allow himself to be filled with pride. No, Joe acted in humility-simply doing what God the Father commanded when He commanded it. For this reason, Joe truly is the greatest prince of his Son’s Kingdom.

This coming Saturday, we remember the memory of Blessed Fr. Miguel Pro, a Mexican Jesuit priest who was martyred for serving the persecuted Catholics of Mexico in 1927. It’s hard for me to believe that it has almost been a whole year since I visited the Church of the Holy Family in Mexico City that keeps his relics. (I shared some pictures in La Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia...) I feel it is appropriate to share once again the painting in the apes of the sanctuary:

Limbo poem by Sr Mary Ada, OSJ

A couple months ago, I came across this poem written by Sr. Mary Ada, OSJ. I’ve been waiting for this month when we remember those who have died in our prayers to share it since this seemed the most appropriate time.

"Limbo"
By: Sr. Mary Ada, OSJ

The ancient greyness shifted
Suddenly and thinned
Like mist upon the moors
Before a wind.
An old, old prophet lifted
A shining face and said :
“He will be coming soon.
The Son of God is dead;
He died this afternoon.”

A murmurous excitement stirred
All souls.
They wondered if they dreamed ---
Save one old man who seemed
Not even to have heard.

And Moses standing,
Hushed them all to ask
If any had a welcome song prepared.
If not, would David take the task?
And if they cared
Could not the three young children sing
The Benedicite, the canticle of praise
They made when God kept them from perishing
In the fiery blaze?

A breath of spring surprised them,
Stilling Moses’ words.
No one could speak, remembering
The first fresh flowers,
The little singing birds.
Still others thought of fields new ploughed
Or apple trees
All blossom-boughed.
Or some, the way a dried bed fills
With water
Laughing down green hills.
The fisherfolk dreamed of the foam
On bright blue seas.
The one old man who had not stirred
Remembered home.

And there He was
Splendid as the morning sun and fair
As only God is fair.
And they, confused with joy,
Knelt to adore
Seeing that he wore
Five crimson stars
He never had before.

No canticle at all was sung.
None toned a psalm, or raised a greeting song.
A silent man alone
Of all that throng
Found tongue ----
Not any other.
Close to His heart
When the embrace was done,
Old Joseph said,
“How is Your Mother,
How is Your Mother, Son?”

Joe and All the Saints

Last Friday, we celebrated the Solemnity of All Saints. It never struck me before until this time, that  the final petition of the Intercessions of Vespers (the Evening Prayer of priests and religious of the Roman Rite) for this feast, included Joe right after Mary:

Bring all who have died into the company of heaven with Mary, Joseph and all Your saints, and give us also a place in the unending fellowship of Your kingdom.

As we continue in the month of November, when we particularly remember and pray for this who have died, I suggest that we pray this prayer each day. Before we know it, we’ll probably have it memorized.